Apple Canyon Lake Dam, located in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, is a rockfill dam completed in 1978 with a primary purpose of recreation.
Wind
Humidity
Managed by private owners, the dam stands at a height of 78 feet and spans a length of 1100 feet, creating a reservoir with a storage capacity of 14,630 acre-feet and a surface area of 440 acres. The dam is situated on Hells Branch Creek and is regulated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, with state permitting, inspection, and enforcement in place to ensure its safety.
With a high hazard potential and a moderate risk assessment rating, Apple Canyon Lake Dam is equipped with an uncontrolled spillway and outlet gates. The dam has a drainage area of 15.2 square miles and a maximum discharge capacity of 5607 cubic feet per second. While the dam's condition assessment is currently not available, regular inspections are conducted, with the most recent one carried out in July 2020. Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its recreational purpose, attracting water resource and climate enthusiasts to its picturesque surroundings in Elizabeth, Illinois.
Year Completed |
1978 |
Dam Length |
1100 |
Dam Height |
78 |
River Or Stream |
HELLS BRANCH CREEK |
Primary Dam Type |
Rockfill |
Surface Area |
440 |
Drainage Area |
15.2 |
Nid Storage |
14630 |
Outlet Gates |
Uncontrolled |
Hazard Potential |
High |
Foundations |
Unlisted/Unknown |
Nid Height |
78 |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Camp Office
|
||
Canyon Ridge Camping Area
|
||
Walnut Grove Campground
|